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Genetically modified rutabagas seen as new source of biofuel
Washington Examiner ^ | 08-9-2009 | David Runk

Posted on 08/19/2009 12:41:27 PM PDT by theruleshavechanged

Even if rutabagas aren't widely grown in the U.S. for people to eat, rutabagas for biofuel could edge out other food crops.

"If you were to dedicate hundreds of thousands of acres to produce rutabaga for the biofuel sector, in all likelihood farmers would be changing what crops are currently being cultivated on those lands," Faber said.

That could make it a "game changer" in the biofuel industry, he said.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonexaminer.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events; US: Michigan
KEYWORDS: biofuel; farming; gm; michigan; rutabaga
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To: Uncle Ike

They might be on to something here - rutabagas have always given me gas.....Then, what about cabbage? Beans? Califlower? Most of the world is starving and we’re going to grow rutabagas for fuel?


21 posted on 08/19/2009 1:56:20 PM PDT by Bitsy
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To: theruleshavechanged
A year or so ago I did a back of the envelope calculation that took the entire combined annual output of palm oil from Malaysia and Indonesia and converted them to an equivalent fuel value of gasoline. The bottom line was that the above quantities of oil would provide US domestic motor vehicle needs for very nearly three weeks. Now consider that those countries cultivate palm oil using forestwide slash-and-burn techniques like it's going out of style with virtually no environmental concerns, have a 365 days/year growing season, and virtually unlimited amounts of rainfall, it illustrates what a pipe dream replacing petroleum with midwest switch grass or fermented corn silage biofuels is. Just ain't gonna happen.
22 posted on 08/19/2009 1:58:16 PM PDT by SpaceBar
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To: theruleshavechanged
But what happens if these genetically modified rutabagas take over the world?


23 posted on 08/19/2009 2:08:59 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
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To: grellis; AdmSmith; Berosus; bigheadfred; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; ...

Next up, jicama acreage can be converted into something useful.


24 posted on 08/19/2009 3:56:39 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/__Since Jan 3, 2004__Profile updated Monday, January 12, 2009)
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To: Alas Babylon!

Grow your own.

&&&
Great suggestion. I think I will.


25 posted on 08/19/2009 9:14:14 PM PDT by Bigg Red (Palin/Hunter 2012)
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To: Springman; sergeantdave; cyclotic; netmilsmom; RatsDawg; PGalt; FreedomHammer; queenkathy; ...
Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket

If you would like to be added or dropped from the Michigan ping list, please freepmail me.

26 posted on 08/20/2009 9:24:27 AM PDT by grellis (I am Jill's overwhelming sense of disgust.)
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To: theruleshavechanged

IOW, it’s like upping the production of sugar beets....


27 posted on 08/20/2009 9:25:42 AM PDT by r9etb
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To: SpaceBar
it illustrates what a pipe dream replacing petroleum with midwest switch grass or fermented corn silage biofuels is. Just ain't gonna happen.

Just to point out: if you substitute the word "supplement" for "replace," you get a much more viable argument.

28 posted on 08/20/2009 9:28:03 AM PDT by r9etb
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To: grellis

Sure I’ll get a job now, planting rutabagas in empty lots in Detroit now!!!!!


29 posted on 08/20/2009 9:33:05 AM PDT by Springman (Rest In Peace YaYa123)
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To: Red Badger

I guess you’ve got the dirt on me....


30 posted on 08/21/2009 11:38:09 AM PDT by Bigg Red (Palin/Hunter 2012)
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